Trikepilot Social

Being from Australia there is not much to choose from as far as microlights, other than airborne. Why would you recommend the Air Creation Tanarg?

A huge question there, but I will try to tell you why I bought the Tanarg.
I have never flown an Airborne and have been flying trikes since 1995. I started in the UK and have flown many types, but the more recent ones are P&M machines. The GT460 and the Quik have a old design of trike. It is small and cramped. The centre of gravity is too high. The engine mounting frame is too flimsy for the 912 engine.
The Tanarg has a low centre of gravity with a wide track and long wheelbase, giving very secure ground handling. It is also very comfortable for both pilot and passenger with all the foot pegs and the seats being adjustable. The suspension is great. The trike frame is a very different and strong design and made from stainless steel. There are numerous safety features built in to the design.
The downside is that the Tanarg is more expensive than the P&M machines.
The new Bionix wing is a major breakthrough in trike design and has a safe speed range with MTOW of 472 kg, of 35 to 85 mph ish. This design and the features have been patented, so don't expect to see them on other trikes in the future.
I shall be taking my first flight with the Bionix wing this coming weekend.
Why not get yourself to the Australian Aircreation dealer and try for a trail flight.

I don't own a trike, but have been training on an Airborne XT-912.    I do like the look and specs of the Tanarg.   However, whilst my instructor does rate Air Creation Trikes he (and a couple of other Airborne owners I have spoken to) feel that a lot of the oversees trike don't seem to handle the Australian conditions as well as Airborne trikes.   I take this this a grain of salt as one of the chaps is an Airborne dealer.   They also feel that there is not the same level of support/backup/ease of getting spares etc with most of the other makes, unlike Airborne.   I don't think there is much of a second hand market here for Air Creations trikes.

If, and when I am in the market for a NEW trike I will certainly be looking closely as the Tanarg.

Basically, you get what you pay for. Airborne make great trikes - my friends Kenny and Paul fly XT912's at my club (with Streak III's) and they love them! The downside is that they're short of luggage space and are a little cramped compared to other trikes - that is, VERY cramped compared to the Tanarg .... the Tanarg is a 3-piece suite on wings! The Tanarg is an extremely solid machine and I'd dispute that the Airborne would be able to handle rough weather any better than a Tanarg. Bob's point about the BioniX wing is very valid and overall, the Tanarg has a "surer" feel than an Airborne but, the Tanarg costs a shedload more. Again - you gets what you pays for! Mike

Thank's guy's for your comments. They have been very helpful. I have nothing against Airborne or any other manufacturer (to each their own). All are more than likely suitable for their own particular purpose I would imagine. I think it would eventually come down to the best for your/my particular purpose. I have formed the opinion that the Tanarg would be more suited to cross country & long distance travel as far as comfort & economy. Would this be the case from your own experience. There is only one distributor/trainer for the Tanarg in central Australia. Plenty of Airborne trainers. It might be just me but the Airborne trainers seem a little blazee as if they seem to think they have a captive audience or something to that effect!

Rossco,

Best bet would be to fly both machines and see what you think. Trouble is Australia is such a huge place that a trip to Chris for a Tanarg flight might be a long way. Why not call Chris and see if he knows of any Tanarg owners in your part of Aus who would take you up?

Ross,
I flew the Airborne XT with the Streak 2 or 3 wing in Paris before buying my Tanarg. The Airborne is very nice and solid trike and is comparable to a AC trike from the generation before the Tanarg. In my eyes it really is a good machine.
But.......the Tanarg is something totally different. I can just confirm what Bob and Mike are saying.
I would really recommend you to fly the Tanarg before buying anything. I have seen quite a few people who regreted their decission after taking a flight with me in the Tanarg. I must say that 3 years ago when I bought my trike there was almost no price difference between an Airborne, Quick or GT450 and the Tanarg. That made it a bit easier for me.
A disadvantage might be the spare parts for you but the guys at AC are very helpful and send spare parts out all over the world.
You can not compare the comfort of the Tanarg to anything else. You have to fly it to believe it.
Does it have a downside? Yes, it does. Its heavier to handle in the hangar and on the ground to push it in to tight spaces. We have 50 trikes in our hangar so we need to re-shufle them quite often. The AC GTE owners are really strugling the first time they have to move a Tanarg.
The trick is to grab it underneath the nose and lift the front wheel from the ground. If you put your hand under the nose you will feel that its designed it for it. Same if you want to push it around outside on the grass. It feels heavy. Thats the only disadvantage I can think of really.
Maybe the Airborne is a bit lighter to handle in the air as well. If you want a "play" trike only then I wouldnt buy a Tanarg but if you want an alround trike then the Tanarg is the best choice I think. When I am comletely packed with tent and cooking equipment etc. you still cant see it from the outside. No bulky lugage on the passangers seat or anything. Everything goes in to the boot. The longest flight I did in one day was Chamonix-Brussels 630km. Started at 0630 in the morning and arrived at 1730. We had headwind and a lot of turbulence. We made 3 stops to eat and refuel the 2-strokes. I was surprised how relaxed I was when I arrived. Great machine.
I have not seen anybody yet who regretted buying a Tanarg. I could go on and on abouth this machine..........I love it.
Joel

I own a 1995 Clipper 582 and I have no doubt about were my money will go if I upgrade to a NEW/ SECONDHAND trike, for me there will be only one and that is a TANARG. I am 1.97 meters tall and weigh 115 kg so the space and comfort promised by the Tanarg along with the excellent quality,workmanship and handling has to make it my ultimate choice! The issue of parts availability really should not even be on the table as Jean-Luc and the good guys from AC factory could probably have your parts delivered anywhere in the world just as fast as your local boys can deliver Air Borne Parts to anywhere in Oz.